Submersible apparatus.



VL BOSCAVILLA. suBMERsIBLE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9. I9.

. 1,260,959. Patented MAI. 26, 1918.

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SUBIVIERSIBLE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-9.1916.

1,260,959. Patented Mur. 26, 1918.

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to the degree to submerge itto any required depth. lVater containing 'compartments or tanks 1o' and 16 are formed on' opposite sides of the compartment 12 and separated thereh from 'by walls or partitions 17 and 18. These compartments 15 and 16 are of like capacity, and are designed to receive bodies oi Water for certaln specified purposes. The said compartments are 1n communication with supcrposed air chambers 19 and 20, which also may communicate with the lower ballasting tanks lll and 14 whereby the water compartments and tanks are adapted to be filled and emptied Without atmospheric resistance, air being permitted` `this pump are in communication with the respective tanks and Water compartments through a series of valved water discharge pipes 20', and with a Water inlet main or supply pipe 2l, while the outlets of the pump are in connection with valved Water feed pipes 21, leading to the Water containing; tanks and compartments and with a valved outlet pipp 22 leadingtothe eXte rior. The valves in these pipes are so arranged that communication mav be established between any one or all of tn'e tanks or compartments and the inlets oi the pump ior the purpose of discharging the Water from said tanks or compartments, 0r communication can be established between the inlets of the pump and exterior through the supply pipe 21, and from the outlets of the pump to the tanks or compartments so that a supply of water from the body of Water in which the apparatus floats or is submerged may be supplied to fill the respective tanks or compartments to desired degrees.'

Furthermore, by suitably opening and closingvalves in the pipes, communication may be established between the inlets oit the pump and one or all of the respective tanksor compartments and the outlet pipe 22, for the purpose of discharging the water from said tanks or compartments to the exterior, for the purpose of trimming the craft or relieving); the same of the Weight of more or less of the water to cause it to rise to a greater or less degree toward the surface after submergence.

The compartment 16 comprises a divers lock or chamber, having a door 23 givingaccess to the compartment 12 and a door 211 giving access to the exterior of the vessel and afiording communication between the said compartment 16 and the body of Water outside. Hence it will begpnderstood that vvater, the door type, and driven by storage l Leconte partments 15 and 16 are filled with Water,

the compartment 16 being filled to make the pressure therein equal to thatof the outside pressure When the door 2t is opened, While the compartment 15 is lilled to ltrim the craft so that it will be balanced in a lateral direction. After the diver has entered the compartment 16 and the door 23 has been closed and said compartment 16 filled With diver to pass out for the purpose of making the desired explorations, it being. understood that suitable provision Will be made for the supply of air to the diver `from the interior of the craft in any suitable manner.

24 is opened, alloyving thev When the diver linishes his Work and wishesto return, he passes through the doorvvay 24' back into the compartment 16 and` closes the doorway 24, and then suitably notifies those Within the compartment 12 of his presence in the compartment 16, the condition of a'airs therein and his intention to open the door 23 and enter the compartment 12. His intention being understood the pump is set into action to exhaust the Water from the compartments 15 and 16, and when this has been accomplished the door 23 is opened, allowing the diver to enter the compartment 12, as will be readily understood.

In practice, the tanks 14; and 14 give stability and may be of such capacity as to Weight the vessel, when they are lilled, to cause it to descend to the maximum depth desired,but other ballasting or Weighting tanks or compartments, in addition to the compartments 15 and 16, may be provided at suitable points. and 16, it will be understood, furnish a means by which a diver may be sent out While the craft is submerged to carry on different operations belovi7 the level of the Water, While the vessel is maintained in an upright or balanced position, thus insuringr stability under all conditions of service.

claim:--

1. A submersible apparatus of the diving class comprising a maui shell provided with The compartments 15 vertical and horizontal Wall forming a trimming tank anda divers lock, water ballastcompartments disposed at the bottom of the shell, a self-contained operating plant in one of said compartments, and means to coperate with the mechanical plant for controlling the buoyancy of the apparatus through an interchange of the contents of the tank, lock and Water ballast compartments, which interchange also operates-to produce a stable equilibrium when a diver enters and leaves the lock.

3. A submersible apparatus of the diving class comprising a main shell provided with compartments, a mechanical operating plant in one of'said compartments, another of said compartments being 'subdivided and disposed at the bottom-of the shell whileothers are disposed above the latter "and form respectively a trimming tank and the divers lock,'the horizontal walls forming floors or platforms that subdivide the interior of the shell into Working spaces,. one 'of which is disposed above the compartment carried the bottom of' the tank that provides a place for the mechanical operating plant, an

exit for the divers lock so disposed as to pen' mit the diver to pass into and out oiktlie shell through one of the vertical Walls of said shell7 and means to cooperate With'said plant :for controlling the buoyancy of the apparatus through an interchange or 'the contents of the tank, lock.i and the .several compartments, which interchange also op'- erates to produce a stable equilibrium when the diver enters and leaves the loot:3 said means being so connected that interchange between the several compartments and the tank and lock may be made singly or in combination.,

-In testimony whereof ax my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

V'lTORlU BSALLA Witnesses:

GIUSEPPE Dr Bmrnnnr'ro, Fano. R. (Zimmerer. 

